Maine Memory Network

Contributed by City of Portland - Planning & Development

• Item 148217
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Description

In this view of Deering Oaks, the duck house is accompanied by the neighboring slaughterhouse of the Pork Packing Company, with the smokestacks of Casco Tanning Works visible behind on the right.

In February of 1887, City engineer William Goodwin built a small island in Mill Pond as the Park Commissioners requested. During the previous summer, the Legrow Brothers lumber company delighted the public by exhibiting a Queen Anne cottage in miniature on a platform carriage during Portland's centennial July 4th parade. The commissioners arranged for the little house to be installed on the island as a fanciful home for newly purchased ducks and geese, expressing hope that the charming scene would mitigate the Park's reeking industrial backdrop.

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About This Item

• Title: Deering Oaks pond with neighboring slaughterhouse and tannery, Portland, 1887
• Creator: William S. Edwards
• Creation Date: 1887-07-02
• Subject Date: 1887-07-02
• Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
• Media: Photographic print
• Dimensions: 11.4 cm x 18.4 cm
• Collection: Edwards Album
• Object Type: Image

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Deering Oaks Park (Portland, Me.)
• Parks--Maine--Portland
• Ponds--Maine--Portland
• Slaughtering and slaughter-houses--Maine

People

• Edwards, William S
• Goodwin, William A

Other Keywords

• Casco Bay tannery
• Casco Tanning Works
• exhibits
• Fourth of July parade
• industry
• July 4 parade
• Legrow Brothers
• meatpacking
• parade floats
• Park Commission
• Portland centennial
• Portland Pork Packing Company
• slaughterhouse
• smokestacks
• tannery

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More to Consider

Item 148216

Mill Pond, Deering Oaks Park, Portland, 1887

Item 148227

Portland and Grove Streets, with entrance to Deering Oaks, Portland, 1887

Item 148247

Deering Oaks Park, Portland, 1887

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